But in
the more hopeful days of the last week, when the canvassing returns,
together with Marsham's astonishing energy and brilliant speaking, had
revived the failing heart of the party, it was resolved to hold a final
meeting, on the night before the poll, at Hartingfield-on-the-Wold, the
largest of the mining villages.
* * * * *
Marsham left Dunscombe for Hartingfield about six o'clock on an August
evening, driving the coach, with its superb team of horses, which had
become by now so familiar an object in the division. He was to return in
time to make the final speech in the concluding Liberal meeting of the
campaign, which was to be held that night, with the help of some
half-dozen other members of Parliament, in the Dunscombe Corn Exchange.
A body of his supporters, gathered in the market-place, cheered him
madly as the coach set off. Marsham stopped the horses for a minute
outside the office of the local paper. The weekly issue came out that
afternoon. It was handed up to him, and the coach rattled on.
McEwart, who was sitting beside him, opened it, and presently gave a low
involuntary whistle of dismay.
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